INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS

ECTS Credit Allocation

ECTS is a learner-centered system for credit accumulation and transfer based on the transparency of learning outcomes and learning processes. It aims to facilitate planning, delivery, evaluation, recognition and validation of qualifications and units of learning as well as student mobility. ECTS is widely used in formal higher education and can be applied to other lifelong learning activities.

ECTS credits are based on the workload students need in order to achieve the expected learning outcomes. Learning outcomes describe what a learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do after the successful completion of the learning process. These learning outcomes relate to the level descriptors in the National and European Qualifications Framework.

Workload indicates the time students typically need to complete all learning activities (such as lectures, project work, self-study, and examinations) required to achieve the expected learning outcomes”.*

60 ECTS credits are attached to the workload of a fulltime year of formal learning (academic year) and the associated learning outcomes. At Anadolu University, one ECTS credit corresponds to 25 hours of study, thus a student’s workload is 1.500 hours for an academic year.

Anadolu University has used the ECTS system since the 2005-2006 Academic Year. In the 2004-2005 academic year, ECTS credits for each course were allocated by the ECTS Credit Committee of each program. Furthermore, an “ECTS Credit Evaluation Questionnaire” prepared by experts was given to students for each course, and then the ECTS credits for each course were re-allocated. Since the 2005-2006 Academic Year, a questionnaire has been utilized for the newly started courses to allocate the ECTS credit for each new course to be taught for the first time in the related department. Then, the ECTS credit is re-allocated accordingly. The university administration decided to administer this questionnaire every 5 years for all the courses offered to ensure the evaluation of the ECTS credit allocations. With reference to this decision, the questionnaire was re-administered for all the courses in 2014. In addition, Anadolu University was selected as one of the pilot universities for the practice of the “National Qualification Framework for Higher Education in Turkey”. Later, Anadolu University was also awarded a certificate of appreciation by the Council of Higher Education for their successful practices.

*Adapted from ECTS Users Guide, Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, http://ec.europa.eu/education/tools/docs/ects-guide_en.pdf